Almost every person at some point needs to experience the displeasure of joint pain be it from an accident, aging, or any illness. Though a bit of joint pain every so often is typically nothing to worry about, chronic or severe pain can make even simple tasks impossible and point to a problem that needs treatment.
This article discusses common reasons for joint pain, treatments for joint pain, and when you should see a doctor.
Common Causes of Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Reason: The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This happens when the cartilage that protects your joints becomes worn down, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Although but the knees are most common, OA usually affects weight-bearing joints, as well as hips and the spine, although any joint can be affected.
Signs: Pain aggravated with movement or changes in climate, stiffness in the joints, and reduced mobility.
Management: While there is no cure for OA, treatment can help alleviate symptom. Management options include pain relief through over-the-counter pain relief medication e.g. ibuprofen, physiotherapy, and lifestyle changes e.g. maintaining a healthy body weight to reduce pain. In some cases, you might require joint injections or surgery.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Reason: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body treats the joints as a foreign body and starts attacking them. RA usually involves joints on both sides of the body, for example: wrists, knees, and fingers.
Symptoms: Pain and swelling in multiple joints (always in more than one joint); redness over affected joints; tiredness; morning stiffness lasting more than an hour
Management: RA needs treatment and it is generally through disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to decelerate the course of the disease. NSAIDs and steroids may relieve some of the pain and swelling. It is also helpful to do physiotherapy and exercise regularly.
Gout
Cause: A kind of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood and is deposited as crystals into the joints, particularly the big toe. The attacks of gout are sudden, often occurring at night and notorious for their searing pain and inflammation.
Signs: Intense joint pain, redness, swelling, and warmth, especially in the big toe.
Gout: This is treated with anti-inflammatory medications and uric acid reducing medication – colchicine, NSAIDs, or corticosteroids. Avoiding flare-ups can be controlled through dietary changes (for instance limit alcohol and red meat and drink plenty of water.
Bursitis
Bursitis happens when the small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the joints become inflamed. Repetitive movement, continuous pressure on a joint, or an injury can be the reason. Most commonly seen in the shoulders, elbows, and hips.
Symptoms: The joint often feels hot, swollen, and tender and is especially painful on movement or touch.
Management: RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and anti-inflammatory drugs alleviate pain. However, in severe cases, injections with corticosteroids or physical therapy can be advisable.
Tendinitis
Cause: Tendinitis which is an inflammation of a tendon which usually occurs due to overuse or repetitive movements of a joint. It often strikes the put of your shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees.
Common signs and symptoms include pain and tenderness around the affected tendon, particularly during movement of the joint or pressing on it.
Management: They relieve pain and inflammation with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. On the other hand, if the condition continues, it may then require physical therapy or corticosteroid injections.
Injuries
Trigger: One of the usual triggers of joint pain is sprains, strains or torn ligaments. These are also referred to as sprains, they may occur as a result of a sudden twisting motion, as result of falling, accident, sports-related injury.
Prognosis: Septic arthritis is a medical emergency that must be treated immediately with antibiotics or, in some cases, surgery to drain the infected joint.
Fibromyalgia
Reason — Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by wide-spread musculoskeletal annoyance and cat tenderness, often in the joints and soft tissues. Fibromyalgia results in widespread muscle pain and tenderness all over the body, the causes of which are still unknown, although it is likely due to abnormal pain processing in the brain.
Difficulties with sleep, touch, and chronic joint pain.
Management: Fibromyalgia is treated with medications (including pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants), and lifestyle modifications such as stress management and physical exercise.
Lupus
Explanation: Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can impact a variety of organs in the body, but predisposes the joints to damage. It may tire cause inflammation, pain, and swelling in the joints, as well as skin rashes and fatigue.
Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling and stiffness, often with a butterfly rash on the face
Management: Lupus is managed with the use of immunosuppressive drugs (e.g. corticosteroids, DMARDs) in order to reduce inflammation and lessen the burden of disease.
Osteomyelitis
Reason: Osteomyelitis, an infection in the bone which can trigger joint pain if the bone close to a joint becomes infected.Its usually caused by bacteria that enter the bloodstream or come from surrounding tissue.
Symptoms: Joint pain with fever in addition to redness and swelling of the affected area.
Since osteomyelitis is an infection, the treatment often involves antibiotics, while in some cases an intervention by surgery may be necessary to excise infected tissue or to drain abscesses.
When to See a Doctor
Generally, we treat mild joint pain ourselves with home remedies like rest, ice, or over-the-counter pain relievers, but when should we not? Contact a doctor if:
The discomfort is intense or your pain does not get better with rest and self-care.
Joint pain is one of the most common complaints and has a large set of causes ranging from benign overuse or trauma to the more complex arthritis or autoimmune processes. Most cases of joint pain can be treated at home however, you should not ignore your symptoms. If the pain is not going you have sought help to make sure that you can prevent damage and improve your life.
Understanding how your joints can hurt and when to ask for help can help you take action to preserve your joints and live a fulfilling, healthy way of life.
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